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The Most Important Factor in Fitting?

Insights | 3 | by TrackMan
The Most Important Factor in Fitting?

As you know TrackMan gives us over 25 different parameters in efforts to analyze what happens when you hit the golf ball and it’s these factors that help teachers and club fitters to make you play better golf.
 
 
AoA Up

In fact I was asked the other day, if I could only pick one data parameter, which was THE most important one in fitting? Hmmmmm…I had my ideas but as we know I’m not a full-time fitter, so I figured I’d ask a few of my fitter friends as well to see what we all came up with in general.

This should be interesting…

Tom F. Stickney II
Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher
TrackMan University Master/Partner

In my opinion the most important data parameter on TrackMan for fitting players of all levels would be Landing Angle.

TrackMan defines “Landing Angle” as the angle in which the ball impacts the ground.

TrackMan_Landing_Angle

Now what is interesting is that many other factors go into creating your overall landing angle. Things such as angle of attack, dynamic loft, spin rate, spin loft, launch angle, etc and for this reason I feel that landing angle is the most important one for fitters.

My idea in fitting would be to carry the driver as far as possible yet still land the ball at an angle that is flat enough for the ball to chase out as far as it can…this way I have maximized your carry and your roll.

As it pertains to irons, I like to see a steeper landing angle so the ball will stop on the green, but adding too much dynamic loft and/or spin can cause the ball to fly too short. Therefore, if I can fit someone into a certain landing angle with their irons based on their needs then I have created maximum distance WITH stopping power as well.

So for me I say Landing Angle; I cannot wait to see what the other guys say as I have not looked at their answers…yet!

Kirk Oguri, Pete’s Golf Shop, @kirkoguri
Golf Digest Top 100 Clubfitter

ball speed

Personally I like to audit the ball speed off the face of the club…you can visually determine if the ball is flying further, apexing around the correct height, or launching correctly but you cannot “see” the ball’s speed off the face.

If I can maximize the speed and the other factors “look” ok then I know I am moving in the correct direction with my fit.

Scott Felix, Felix Clubworks, @felixclubworks
Golf Digest Top 100 Clubfitter

 
 
TrackMan-optimized

I would look at the “optimizer” screen as they are warming up, now I know that this is not just one data point, but I can tell you that this data will let me know very quickly how close the player is or is not close to their potential over a few shots.

From this point I determine the one number I need to adjust in order for them to play better. So I use the optimizer each time to pick my one number.

Nick Arthur, Club Performance Specialist
Ely Callaway Tour Performance Center

Spin Rate Golf Ball

If I had to choose one parameter only, it would be backspin. The bulk of my clientele are tour pro’s and they have high ball speed. At those higher speeds, spin has a more direct correlation to total performance than launch angle.

This is not necessarily true for lower speeds. Also, launch angle is easier to discern with the naked eye than backspin so having TrackMan’s measurement of that parameter isn’t as critical as the spin measurement.

Recap

So as you can see their are a few thoughts regarding fitting and what you should really look at as an instructor, fitter, or both. Personally, I agree with each of their assessments as they are also valid, but the fact remains that if you have all the factors at your disposal with TrackMan, fitting becomes MUCH easier!
 
Which factor do you think is the most important when it comes to fitting? – Leave a comment below.
 
 

Tom StickneyFitting

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3 comments

  • Jim scheetz November 30, 2015 at 4:44 am

    I am a student. I think the most important factor is the angle of the shaft in the downswing……not sure what you call it but 0% would mean the same path as the backswing….hope that makes sense.

    Reply
  • tom stickney November 30, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    The vsp at impact is a very important factor for sure

    Reply
  • Craig March 1, 2018 at 11:38 pm

    Face angle IMO. If this can be controlled consistently then we know the bsll is starting at target more often than not! Hitting is straight is paramount in the game of golf.

    Reply

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